The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-07-16


you that love you, and IL Is not likely that
should say such thing and at the same
time be carrying on, as you term it-with
another man. But think that our attach
ment is altogether an unfortunate affair. i
know I've done wrong In encouraging you,
but have not been able to help loving you.
Don't you think that we had better not
meet any more and try to forget all that
has passed between usl"
Tho young officer stared in amazement
and exclaimed: "Why, Oracle, you don't
mean to say that you're going to throw me
over like thsi'
mo- Bob, don't want to do anything OF
the sort" replied the girl; "but l am anx-
ious to act for your good-for the good of
both OF us--really, truly and honestly, |
do. Please don't accuse me Of any other
motive. just think over our position. On
the one side there is you--heir to great
name, your father q proud, rich man. On
the other side, here am Ia milliners shop
girl. What would your father say-what
would the world say, If you were to make
me your wife,"
'What do 1 care about what the Gov
ernor or the world would sayl" exclaimed
her lover. II am Of age. My father has
nc influence over me- except to cut me out
of his will You're lady, Oracle; know
that although you're in q shop and there's
no shame in that By Jovel you've only to
turn up the directory to see how the swells
are going in for commerce. and even for
| trade For Gods sake, then, Oracle, don't
send me away. Until knew you wasn't
up to much good, although / don't mean
that was O blackguard. But since I've
known you I've changed, and would make
you just as good u husband as many of
those fellows who come with written char
acters in their pockets" .N
eyes, Bob, believe all that" answered
the girl. 'But shouldn't be happy, even
| as your wife, IL was scorned by your peo-
pie and pointed out as cunning schemcr
who had put you in position out of which
you could not get yourself, and saw you
left alone by all your relations and friends
because you had married girl out of
bonnet shop''
"We'd keep out Of their way, Gracie,"
said the young man. 'Go and live quietly
somewhere"
"But you can't get out of the way Of
your brother officers,' said the girl
'Never mind about them," said Bob
"But to return to Smith What about himl
When know that you meet him and go
walking with him what am to inferl"
Oracle hesitated for moment and then,
looking him full in the face, said: "Bob
love in the world you would be satisfied
But implore you to think over what I
| have said. Toni mean Mr.. Smiths an
old and dear friend of mine, and"
"There!" interposed the young man,
eyou've called him by his Christian name
Good heavens, Oracle, what does it all
meant"
The girl did not answer, and the Honor
able Bob, after few more entreaties and
expostulations, took himself Off in a rage,
vowing that he would have it out with his
brother officer before he was many hours
older.
On his way to the barracks he met Smith,
and to his surprise, the latter opened fire
at once by saying: II say, Topsham, I
| wish you'd give me ten minutes talk in my
quarters"
'Ive come on purpose to ask the same
thing Of you," replied Bob, earnestly. "But
you had better come into mine, as there's
less chance of being overheard"
SO they turned into Bob's quarters, and
each being supplied with a cigar, Smith
began:
zone thing, Topsham, before say word,
must ask you to keep your temper"
'Well Smith," replied Bob, 'sit will, I
am afraid, under the circumstances, be
hard, but I'll do my level best. Now, then,
10 tne p0lnLt'
"No. You must promise"
Gan right, then, promise"
'Im older than you are, and Pm entitled
to give you advice"
"Depends upon the subject.''
swell, you're in love with Oracle Clough,
aren't youl'
Eyes, am. But what of that What has
that to do with youi Who told you!"
~ found it out by accident-only day or
two ago. Now, do you think that you are
doing your duty both to her and to yourself
by persisting in an attachment of which
nothing can comet"
~ must answer with another question:"
replied Bob. sis it your business or any
other fellows to teach me my duty in case
like this!"
Eyes, it is my duty to prevent unhappi-
ness and misery if l can, and that's why l
have asked you to give me ten minutes
talk. Oracle Clough is milliner's girl.
You are a nObleman's eldest son."
'The very words Oracle used to me, by
Jove!" said Bob to himself, feeling an i'm
pulse to lose his temper and say something
hasty; but remembering his promise in
time, he merely remarked:
"Well, what Of thata"
~ know your father, Lord Cray, WE'LL"
continued Smith.
'The dickens you do! That's more than l
can say" replied the young man.
"And." Smith went on. she's not the sort
of man to regard such a union-and, Of
course, your aiming at nothing but union
with favor"
"No; he'd cut up internally rough about
it, and that's why Iwant it kept dark" said
Bob Topsham.
Sand he'd be quite right" remarked
Smith.
~ don't think so," said the younger Of
fcer. "But look here, Smith. The fact is
you're gone on the girl yourself, and YOU
think you'll get rid of me as rival by lee
turing me on what l ought and what I
oughtn't to do. Why don't you say so at
once, without so much beating about the
bush?"
"What makes you think that Pm gone
upon herl' asked Smith.
"Why, I've seen you meet her at night,
and go out for walk with her. and so have
the other fellows" replied Bob
Smith started. This was evidently news
to him. Bob Topsham observed the effect
OF his speech, and chuckled inwardly.
Then he said:
"Gracie has told me that she loves me.n
~ am sorry to hear it," replied Smith
"Of course you are" said Bob. "Just as
sorry as am to know that she meets you
and walks out with you. 1t would make
many fellow think that she's no better
than she ought to be, but can't"
"No, no." said Smith, with energy,
'Don't think that; she's the best of grls.n
nl,n,,.,